Sports box

ABSTRACT

A portable, easy-to-use and transport sports box for display of real-time information at an athletic event is presented. A number of embodiments are presented. Each embodiment includes a display and a transport system. The transport system is used for easy transportation of the sports box to and from the athletic event; easy storage of the sports box when not in use; and easy use of the sports box during the athletic event. In some embodiments, a controller is used to allow an operator to input the information to a digital display. In other embodiments, a sensor is employed to determine distance information to be displayed. In yet still other embodiments both a controller and a sensor are used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Description of the Related Art

At athletic events, particularly for youth leagues, amateur leagues andother non-professional events, methods of communicating importantreal-time information about the event to the spectators and even theparticipants is often limited to simple, mechanical devices.

At youth football games, for example, the down information is normallydisplayed on a series of flip over, metal sheets with the numbers 1-4 onthem. The distance remaining for a first down is not even communicateddirectly. The spectator must look and the present down marker and thefirst down chains and then estimate the remaining distance to firstdown.

Even at the professional level, this method has not changed for on-fielddisplay of such information. Fixed scoreboards are a luxury mostathletic programs cannot afford.

Most non-professional sports programs do not generate revenues and thusmoney with which to purchase equipment is always limited. Moreover, inmost youth programs, the athletic events are usually varied between avariety of public and municipal parks, playgrounds, or structurescompletely outside the control of the athletic program operators. Thus,fixed equipment at such sites is rarely possible. Thus, whatever suchequipment is on hand must be easily transportable to, from and duringthe athletic event and easy to use and operate.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus foraffordable, easy to transport, easy to operate display apparatus forathletic events.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box for interactiveuse at athletic events to display real time information about the eventand which is easily transportable and useable by the operator, thesports box comprising a transport system for enabling the operator toeasily transport, carry, position and re-position the sports box to,from and during the athletic event; a digital display coupled to thetransport system for displaying one or more items of real timeinformation about the athletic event; and one or more controllerscoupled to the transport system for enabling the operator to enter thereal-time information to the display.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box wherein thedigital display is comprised of digital read-outs enabling the operatorto input the one or more information items and the attendees andparticipants at the athletic event to view the information items.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box wherein thedigital display is comprised of one or more digital read-outs fordisplaying the information items and one or more controllers forseparately inputting the information to the one or more digitalread-outs.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box wherein thedigital display displays the one or more information items on a frontside and back side simultaneously enabling attendees and participants oneither side of the sports box to view the information items.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box wherein thedigital display is see-through enabling the operator to see through thedisplay to the athletic event and to observe the informational items onthe display.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box wherein thedigital display is battery operated.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box wherein thecontroller is a keypad.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box wherein thecontroller is a receiver and operated by means of a remote controldevice.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box for interactiveuse at athletic events wherein the transport system is comprised of alightweight, hollow piece of tubing.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box wherein an endof the transport system is shaped as a point for easily stationing thetransport system into soil.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box wherein thetransport system is collapsible for easy storage and transport to andfrom the athletic event.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box wherein an endof the transport system is coupled to movable stand enabling the sportsbox to be rolled to different locations during the athletic event.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box for interactiveuse at athletic events further comprising a sensor coupled to thetransport system for measuring distance the transport system is movedand conveying distance information to the digital display.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box for use atfootball events and used to display down information.

A method and apparatus for a portable digital sports box for interactiveuse at athletic events further comprising a sensor coupled to thetransport system for measuring distance the transport system is movedand enabling the digital display to display down information anddistance to first down information.

A method and apparatus for a portable sports box for interactive use atathletic events to display real time distance information about theevent and which is easily transportable and useable by the operator, thesports box comprising a transport system for enabling the operator toeasily transport, carry, position and re-position the sports box to,from and during the athletic event; a display coupled to the transportsystem for displaying the distance information; one or more sensorscoupled to the transport system for determining the distance thetransport system is moved for enabling the operator to enter thereal-time information to the display; and means for conveying thedetermined distance information from the sensors on the display.

A method and apparatus for a portable sports box further comprising acontroller coupled to the display for enabling an operator to input thedistance information to the display.

A method and apparatus for a portable sports box for use at footballevents to display real time distance to first down information.

A method and apparatus for a portable sports box wherein the display isa digital display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a front view of a sports box.

FIG. 1 b is a side view of a sports box with cross-sectionals.

FIG. 2 a is a front view of a transport system disposed with a pointedend for easy stationing in soil.

FIG. 2 b is a front view of a transport system disposed with a materialat one end that will not mar a surface on which it is rested.

FIG. 2 c is a front view of a transport system with an end coupled tomovable stand enabling the sports box to be rolled to differentlocations during the athletic event.

FIG. 2 d is a front view of a transport system which is collapsible foreasy storage and transport to and from the athletic event.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a sports box with a sensor for computingdistance.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a sports box for displaying distanceinformation.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a sports box for displaying distanceinformation with a controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.

It should be understood that the principles and applications disclosedherein can be applied to a wide variety of athletic events. While theapplication of the present invention to display real-time down anddistance to first down information at football events is discussed indetail herein, the present invention may be used to display inning, balland strike count, score and the like at baseball events, or distanceinformation at a track and field meet, time elapsed at other sportingevents, etc. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merelyillustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do notlimit the scope and use of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, a front view and a side view,respectively, of a sports box 100 is depicted. The sports box 100comprises a digital display 101, a transport system 102 and a controller103.

FIG. 1B depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the digital display101 and the transport system 102. The digital display 101 may be of anysuitable type and can be configured to display only 1 piece ofinformation or a plurality of informational items and is powered by abattery pack 104. Alternatively, the digital display may be powered byAC/DC converter 105 if an electrical source is within reach. Preferably,the battery pack 104 is rechargeable by means of an AC/DC converter 105when the sports box 100 is not in use.

The controller 103 is used by an operator of the sports box 100 to inputinformation to be displayed on the digital display 101. The controller103 may include dial knobs which the operator can use to input theinformation. Alternatively, other means may be used for inputting theinformation, such as, a keypad, for example. In another embodiment, thecontroller 103 may be a receiver which is operated by a remote controlunit 109. It will be appreciated, however, that any one of a number ofalternative controller 103 configurations may be used within the scopeof the present invention.

The transport system 102 is used to couple together all of the pieces ofthe sports box 100; to transport the sports box 100 to and from athleticevents, and to movably station the sports box 100 during the athleticevent to the desired location as required during the event. It will beappreciated that the transport system 102 may be made from any one of avariety of configurations and materials. As depicted in FIG. 1 a, thetransport system 102 is comprised of a hollow piece of lightweight,plastic piping or tubing. The digital display 101 and controller 103 arecoupled to the transport system 102 by any suitable means. They may beconfigured so that they are easily detachable from the transport system102 during transportation or storage of the sports box 100.

In FIG. 1 b, wiring 106 is depicted which connects the battery pack 104,the controller 103 and the digital display 101. The wiring 106 isconfigured to run through the hollow tubing and remain out of sight. Itwill be appreciated, however, that any one of a number of alternativewiring 106 configurations may be used within the scope of the presentinvention.

The sports box 100 may be used at a variety of athletic events todisplay information on a real-time basis. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the sports box 100 may be used to digitally display“down” information at a football game. In such an embodiment, theoperator turns on the sports box 100 at the appropriate time by means ofa switch or any other suitable means and, at the appropriate time, wouldcarry the sports box 100 to a point at or near the first down marker.Using the controller 103, the operator would arrange for the numeral 1to be displayed on the digital display. After completion of the firstdown play, the operator would move the sports box 100 to the new line ofscrimmage and using the controller 103, input the new, correct downinformation to the digital display 101. In this manner, real-timecurrent down information is maintained on the digital display 101 forspectators and participants to view.

The digital display 101 may be configured to display the information onboth sides of the display so that spectators and participants on eitherside can view the information. Alternatively, the display may beconfigured so that only the operator may see through the display for thepurpose of easily verifying that the correct information is beingdisplayed. As mentioned above, the digital display 101 can also beconfigured to display other information in addition to or in lieu of the“down” information.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d, a variety of transportsystem features are depicted. In FIG. 2 a, an end of the transportsystem 202 is shaped in the form of a point 212. This configuration isparticularly suitable for use of the game box 100 at football events andother athletic events played on turf and which allows the operator tostation the sports box 100 easily as needed at different points andprovide and easy method of anchoring the sports box 200 in a locationfor as long as needed.

Referring now to FIG. 2 b, an end of the transport system 202 is fittedwith a cover 213 of suitable material so that the sports box 200 may bemoved and stationed at various locations during the event and whereinthe surface on which the sports box 200 is stationed, will not be marredby the end of the transport system 202. Additionally, such a fitting 213may prevent cuts or damage to the operator or others that could resultfrom an uneven or rough surface at such end of the transport system 202.

Referring now to FIG. 2 c, yet another embodiment for the end of thetransport system 202 is depicted. More particularly, in FIG. 2 c, a base214 is coupled to such end of the transport system 202. Attached to thebase 214 is a plurality of wheels or castors 215 which enable the sportsbox 200 to be rolled over a surface from location to location. Such aconfiguration can be used to free the operator from having to supportthe sports box 200 upright.

It will be appreciated that each of the transport system 202 endfeatures 212, 213, and 214 and 215 depicted, respectively, in FIGS. 2 a,2 b, and 2 c, may be permanently coupled to the transport system 202 orremovably coupled to the end of the transport system 202 therebyenabling the operator to choose from among them for use at variousathletic events.

Referring now to FIG. 2 d, an embodiment of the transport system 202 isdepicted for easy transportation and storage of the sports box 200. InFIG. 2 d, the transport system 202 is comprised of a plurality ofsections which are coupled together by means of locking/unlocking pivotmechanisms 217. During use, the sections of the transportation system202 are fully extended to form a straight line by merely pivoting eachsection into place. The pivot mechanisms 217 have an automatic lockingdevice which keep the transport system 202 firmly in this straight lineposition. For transport or storage, the operator presses a button orsimilar such mechanism on each pivot mechanism 217 which unlocks thepivot mechanism 217 and allows the transport system 202 to be collapsedinto an easily transportable or storable configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the present invention isdepicted. The sports box 300 in FIG. 3 comprises a digital display 301,a transport system 302, and a controller 303 operating in a similarmanner to that described for FIGS. 1 a and 1 b. The sports box 300 alsoincludes a sensor 304 used to determine distance information for displayon the digital display 301. In one embodiment, the sensor 304 is anelectro-mechanical device, well known to those skilled in the art,which, when activated by the operator, mechanically measures thedistance the transport system is moved over the surface of the athleticevent site by the operator and converts measured mechanical movement toan electrical signal which can be used to display the distanceinformation on the digital display 301. In another embodiment, thesensor 304 emits a radar-like or optical [e.g. laser] signal which istargeted at a specific point and determines the distance by thecharacteristics of the return signal reflected back from the specificpoint or object 305. In one embodiment of the present invention for useat football events, the specific object 305 would be the first down poleat the end of the 10 yard chains. It will be appreciated, however, thatany one of a number of alternative sensor 304 configurations may be usedwithin the scope of the present invention.

Using the application described above for the sports box 100 of FIG. 1 afor display of down information at a football event, the sports box 300of FIG. 3 can be used to display both “down” information and “distanceto first down” information separately or simultaneously on the digitaldisplay 301. For the electromechanical embodiment of sensor 304, thesports box 300 operator, activates the sensor when the operator is readyto move the sports box 300 to a new “line of scrimmage” after a play.The sensor 304 measures the collective distance moved from the “firstdown line of scrimmage” to the “current line of scrimmage” and retainsthe total until the operator re-sets it for a new “first down”. Theoperator may then compute the distance to “first down” from the sensordistance information or the game box 300 may be equipped with circuitryto automatically make the calculation. In another embodiment for thesame application, the operator, at the time of inputting the new “down”information, also computes the new “distance to first down” from thesensor distance information signal on a panel in the controller 303 andinputs the distance to first down to the digital display 301 at the sametime. In another embodiment of this application, the “distance to firstdown” is automatically calculated by the sports box 300 and displayed onthe digital display 301 when the operator enables it.

It will be understood that the present invention may be used at avariety of different athletic events and used to display a variety ofinformation which is occurring real-time at the athletic event.Moreover, the information may be displayed simultaneously or in anysequence.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the present invention isdepicted. The sports box 400 in FIG. 4 comprises a display 401, atransport system 402, and a sensor 404 for determining distanceinformation. The sensor 404 operates in the same manner as describedabove for sensor 304. The sports box 400 is used to display distanceinformation at an athletic event. For sports box 400, the operator getsthe distance information from a read-out on the sensor 404 and manuallysets the display with the desired, real-time distance information. Thetransport system 402 operates in the same manner as that described forthe sports box 100 and 200 above in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2d.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the present invention isdepicted. The sports box 500 in FIG. 5 comprises a digital display 501,a transport system 502, and a sensor 504 for determining distanceinformation. Additionally, the sports box 500 includes a controller 503to allow the operator to input the distance information from the sensor504 to the digital display 501. The sensor 504 operates in the samemanner as described above for sensor 304. The sports box 500 is used todisplay distance information at an athletic event. Additionally, otherinformation may be inputted to the digital display 501 by the operator.The distance information for game box 500 may be inputted by theoperator from an information read-out on the sensor 504 or the sportsbox 500 may be equipped to automatically compute the distanceinformation for direct display by the digital display 501. During theathletic event, the operator of sports box 500 gets the distanceinformation from a read-out on the sensor 504 and manually sets thedisplay with the desired, real-time distance information. The transportsystem 502 operates in the same manner as that described for the gamebox 100 and 200 above in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d.

Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference toparticular embodiments for particular applications. Those havingordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings willrecognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments withinthe scope thereof.

It is, therefore, intended by the appended claims to cover any and allsuch applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope ofthe present invention.

1. A portable digital sports box for interactive use at athletic eventsto display real time information about the event and which is easilytransportable and useable by the operator, the sports box comprising: atransport system for enabling the operator to easily transport, carry,position and re-position the sports box to, from and during the athleticevent; a digital display coupled to the transport system for displayingone or more items of real time information about the athletic event; andone or more controllers coupled to the transport system for enabling theoperator to enter the real-time information to the display.
 2. Thesports box of claim 1 wherein the digital display is comprised ofdigital read-outs enabling the operator to input the one or moreinformation items and the attendees and participants at the athleticevent to view the information items.
 3. The sports box of claim 1wherein the digital display is comprised of one or more digitalread-outs for displaying the information items and one or morecontrollers for separately inputting the information to the one or moredigital read-outs.
 4. The sports box of claim 1 wherein the digitaldisplay displays the one or more information items on a front side andback side simultaneously enabling attendees and participants on eitherside of the sports box to view the information items.
 5. The sports boxof claim 1 wherein the digital display is see-through enabling theoperator to see through the display to the athletic event and to observethe informational items on the display.
 6. The sports box of claim 1wherein the digital display is battery operated.
 7. The sports box ofclaim 1 wherein the controller is a keypad.
 8. The sports box of claim 1wherein the controller is a receiver and operated by means of a remotecontrol device.
 9. The sports box of claim 1 wherein the transportsystem is comprised of a lightweight, hollow piece of tubing.
 10. Thesports box of claim 9 wherein an end of the transport system is shapedas a point for easily stationing the transport system into soil.
 11. Thesports box of claim 9 wherein the transport system is collapsible foreasy storage and transport to and from the athletic event.
 12. Thesports box of claim 9 wherein an end of the transport system is coupledto movable stand enabling the sports box to be rolled to differentlocations during the athletic event.
 13. The sports box of claim 1further comprising; a sensor coupled to the transport system formeasuring distance the transport system is moved and conveying distanceinformation to the digital display.
 14. The sports box of claim 1 foruse at football events and used to display down information.
 15. Thesports box of claim 14 and further comprising; a sensor coupled to thetransport system for measuring distance the transport system is movedand enabling the digital display to display down information anddistance to first down information.
 16. A portable sports box forinteractive use at athletic events to display real time distanceinformation about the event and which is easily transportable anduseable by the operator, the sports box comprising: a transport systemfor enabling the operator to easily transport, carry, position andre-position the sports box to, from and during the athletic event; adisplay coupled to the transport system for displaying the distanceinformation; one or more sensors coupled to the transport system fordetermining the distance the transport system is moved for enabling theoperator to enter the real-time information to the display; and meansfor conveying the determined distance information from the sensors onthe display.
 17. The portable sports box of claim 16 further comprisinga controller coupled to the display for enabling an operator to inputthe distance information to the display.
 18. The portable sports box ofclaim 16 for use at football events to display real time distance tofirst down information.
 19. The portable sports box of claim 16 whereinthe display is a digital display.
 20. A method for interactivelydisplaying distance to first down information at a football event on asports box having a display, a portable transport system and a sensorand comprising the steps of: moving the portable transport system;sensing the distance the transport system has been moved; calculatingthe distance remaining to first down from the distance moved; anddisplaying the distance to first down information.